Zoo Miami- Labor Day Weekend.

Wow! I've just realized that it's been almost a month since my last post. Crazy how fast time is passing us by.
So I've currently become addicted to discount sites like groupon and living social. My friends were always talking about it, so I figured I'd check it out. At first I was bit worried since there's so many scams out there, so when I received the $5 admission deal to Zoo Miami I thought I'd give it a shot, afterall if it was a scam, I'd only be out the 5 bucks. So I went ahead and purchased tickets for the family and even adopted a little friend for the day... and the tickets worked!!!! :) LOL

I can't remember the last time I went to the Zoo, I suppose I was maybe like 8 or 9. Back then it was called Miami's Metro Zoo. I still don't see the purpose of the name change to Zoo Miami, it is still the same zoo, same location, same animals, but to each it's own.

Here are some pictures from our day at the zoo. Enjoy!

 My Mom the Archeologist

 Girls First Camel Ride

 Diego Meet & Greet

 And they are out....

The girls had a BLAST! Can't you tell?

To Swim or Not to Swim...

We spent the weekend in West Palm Beach for our Annual District Convention and after the convention I'd hang by the pool with the girls. Now the girls have about a dozen little pools at home, where the water reaches their ankles. I think the hotel's pool was a little intimidating for them. LOL

DAY 1

DAY 2

Today they were ready to test the waters...
Atleast they got their bathing suits and floaties on.

By her expression, don't think she was ready either.

Lydia finally let go of her fears!

 I'll hold on to the wall just in case...

She let go!!! YAY!!!

 DAY 3

By this day, they were pro's!

Kick your feet, move your hands.
By the end of the night they were

swimming in the deep end.



Hurricane Irene

For the past few days everyone has been tracking hurricane Irene. Although South Florida will not be affected by Irene, my thoughts and prayers are with those who will be affected by it.

19 years ago today, (August 24th) South Florida was hit by Hurricane Andrew. Andrew was a category 5 hurricane destroying over 25,000 homes and damaging over 101,000 homes, and caused approximately 50 deaths.

I lived in Homestead when Andrew hit. My family and I left our home heading to "Nowhere" in the north part of Florida after the final evacuation notice was given. They had labeled us a destruction zone. But I did have family who lived thru it all and say it was the most fearful, heartbreaking experience ever. In fact, every other little hurricane that has formed whether or not we have been asked to evacuate, they have been the first to go.  After Andrew, we returned back to Homestead, to find that half of our home was destroyed. There was so much damage and debris that you couldn't get around anywhere. It was truly devastating coming home and finding what you have worked so hard to have has now turned into nothing.

Although Hurricane Irene is not as big of a storm as Andrew, be sure to be prepared.
Hurricane Andrew Aug. 24th, 1992

Hurricane Andrew Aftermath

Hurricane Irene Aug. 24th, 2011

For those who are closely tracking Irene, please be prepared, stock up now, don't wait for the last minute, if they ask you to evacuate, please  do so. 

 Need help planning for a hurricane? Click this link for some tips! Preparing for a Hurricane


NKOTBSBIIMEN

  NKOTBSB Show

 Last month 3 of my bestfriends and I spent the weekend in Orlando. Purpose of our little getaway? To unwind, drink, eat, talk, sleep, catch up, you know what every girl does when they're with their friends, atleast that's what we made everyone else believe. The real reason was to see the NKOTB perform. Yeah I know what you're thinking, again?! But this wasn't going to be like any of their other shows, this time around BSB would be joining them. Squeeeee!!!! I bet Emily is nodding her head saying, you didn't even know who the BSB were. Yup, so true but I know who they are now!

Pre-show we got to say hello to Danny :) We saw Jon and Jordan passed by us, I'm sure we were all dying to squee but we kept our cool. As we patiently waited for the show begin, we spotted Kirstie Alley in the section to the left of us, I must say, she looked GREAT! Also, spotted was Joey Fatone in the rows behind ours...Rumors were there was going to be surprises, could it be that NSYC would be here too?!  It was finally Show Time!!! As the 9 guys came onto stage, you could see nothing but camera flash, and hear screaming fans! It totally felt like the first time, tears in my eyes and all. We danced and sang along. My favorite part of the show was when Danny sang Valentine girl, oh and then there was the time he showed us some skin too... And when the BSB brought up a fan and serenaded them, Howie serenaded his Mom, which was soooo cute!!!! Oh wait, can't forget our SURPRISE...BoyzIIMen! Yes, you read correctly, BoyzIIMen performed Motown Philly, End of the Road, I'll Make Love to You... I've been to more than a handful of NK concerts but this one topped it all!!!

One Stage + NKOTB + BSB + BoyzIIMen = One AMAZING night!   

 

 NKOTBSB

 BoyzIIMen



With Danny Wood (NKOTB)

One of our many trips to the Seaquarium

So every year I purchase the annual pass to the Miami Seaquarium for those weekends I'm broke I'm still able to take the girls out. I believe I was 4 the first time my parents took me to the Seaquarium, although I don't remember what that experience was like, now at 31 no matter how many times I go, it's always like the first time. It's amazing how a simple person can interact with dolphins or even a killer whale.

 Girls ready and excited for the day!

 My brave Little Princess

Me, My Mom, and the Girls



Summer Annual Bash- Under The Sea Party

Every year I have a Summer Annual Bash for my nieces and my little cousins. This year's theme..."Under The Sea".

There were 5 kiddie pools, water squirters, about 200 water balloons, a bounce house, and tons of goodies. The kids had a blast and even the grown-ups got in, in the fun!

Can't wait till next year!!!!

Lydia Meets the Alligators

Last month I took a mini trip out west to visit my brother, and as long as I can remember I've always driven down US-41 and have actually never stopped to see the alligators. However, I do remember calling all the tourist crazy for stopping on the side of the road and taking pictures of the alligators, how funny it would be if one would snap at their @ss. Alligators need privacy too, ya know?!

This time around my niece was coming with us, I thought we should stop and be one of the crazy tourists that I was talking about, perhaps I'd be the lucky one to get snapped by an alligator. Along the way I was getting my niece excited about seeing the alligators and she would tell me how she was not getting out of the car and how scared she was about getting eaten by one, but I assured her that if one came close I'd be there to beat them up and rescue my little princess. Little does she know, that I'd just grab her and RUN for our lives. LOL

Here are some pictures I took of her and the alligators.

Did you know? The average size for an adult female American alligator is 8.2 feet and the average size for a male is 11.2 feet. Large males can reach a weight of nearly half a ton or 1,000 pounds. Yikes!